Kon Knueppel finally gave Hornets fans something to cheer about in Vegas. After a quiet and shaky Summer League debut, the No. 4 overall pick found his rhythm—highlighted by a dominant third quarter that showcased not just scoring, but true feel for the game. His court vision, defensive disruption, and decisive play silenced concerns and validated Charlotte’s faith in his potential. We break down how Knueppel thrived on the ball and found “his sauce” in transition and halfcourt sets.

Meanwhile, we assess Ryan Kalkbrenner’s development—especially his struggles defending stretch bigs and his willingness to shoot the three—and explain why Mason Plumlee and Nick Richards may still hold down the 5 spot early. Also on the docket: Tidjane Salaun’s quieter performance, PJ Hall’s case for a two-way, and why KJ Simpson might be the one pushing Nick Smith Jr. out of the rotation entirely.

The Hornets also made some official moves—inking Tre Mann, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Mason Plumlee—and added sharpshooter Drew Peterson to the final two-way slot. We unpack what those additions say about the front office’s new approach to competition and roster depth. Plus, a big shift from the Jordan era: the Hornets now have 17 full contracts. Is that a sign they're finally serious about winning?

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It’s time for the return of Stang’n or Clang’n! Doug and Walker break down everything from the Charlotte Hornets’ first two Summer League games, starting with the surprise standout: Liam McNeeley. The 29th overall pick played with poise and confidence, showing off shot-making, rebounding, and leadership that wasn’t on many scouting reports.

But not everyone was stang’n. Fourth overall pick Kon Knueppel had a rough debut, missing nearly every shot and looking out of sync. Is it a cause for concern or just the usual Summer League jitters? Doug and Walker weigh in.

Tidjane Salaun once again showed flashes of brilliance—and chaos—with unorthodox finishes and a knack for getting to the line. Ryan Kalkbrenner made his presence felt defensively but had trouble finishing and staying vertical. Sion James surprised with his playmaking, though his shot needs work. Meanwhile, K.J. Simpson and M.J. Walker made strong cases for bigger roles, and Jaylen Sims quietly impressed with efficient scoring.

Plus, which rookie had the best “Stang’n” moment of the week? And who’s got the most work to do?

Zach Lowe has officially entered the chat—and he's just as puzzled and fascinated by the Charlotte Hornets’ roster as the rest of us. On today’s episode of Locked On Hornets, we unpack Lowe’s comments about the Hornets’ guard-heavy, center-light construction and explore whether Jeff Peterson’s rebuild is quietly genius or just noisy chaos.

The conversation then shifts to sophomore forward Tidjane Salaun, who may have the clearest path to early minutes of any Hornets youngster. With Grant Williams recovering and depth at the four spot in question, Salaun has a golden opportunity. But it’s not about on-ball creation—it’s about decision-making, shooting consistency, and grasping team defensive concepts. Can he grow into the 3-and-D role this team desperately needs?

We also address the recent buzz surrounding Dell Curry and Eric Collins joining Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage. Hornets fans feared the worst—but breathe easy, the iconic duo will still be calling Charlotte games (though they may miss a few).

From roster experiments to Summer League storylines to broadcast surprises, this episode covers everything Hornets fans need to know heading into the weekend.

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Big changes could be coming to Hornets broadcasts as Dell Curry is reportedly joining Amazon’s NBA coverage team. What does that mean for his future with the Hornets—and could it eventually lure Steph Curry into the national spotlight post-retirement? We break down how this might impact the most underrated broadcast duo in the league: Eric Collins and Dell Curry.

Meanwhile, Doug and Walker tackle the Hornets’ unsettled center position. Is Ryan Kalkbrenner really ready for a bigger role? What about Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee? The hosts revisit the fallout from the Mark Williams trade and debate whether the Hornets sacrificed too much offensive upside in exchange for long-term flexibility.

We also take a look at the Hornets’ NBA Cup group, which features heavy hitters like the Bucks, Knicks, and Heat. Did the Hornets get the toughest draw of any team—and does Cup performance actually matter this season?

Plus, a new segment debuts: Letters from the Front Line, where listeners share moments when Hornets fandom leaked into real life. If you've ever yelled “Wings of a Condor” on a public sidewalk, this one’s for you.

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The Hornets’ win total is out — and Locked On Hornets is ready to make the call. Doug and Walker react to Charlotte's 25.5 over/under line and whether this new-look squad has what it takes to surpass expectations. Can Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, and Kon Knueppel bring the steady guard play LaMelo Ball needs? Is Brandon Miller ready to be a legit No. 2 option? And what should we expect if LaMelo doesn’t take that next step?

Speaking of Kon Knueppel, he’s making headlines with his performance and poise — both on and off the court. The guys dive into Knueppel’s recent SportsCenter interview, where he revealed how he plans to fit alongside LaMelo, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller. Doug defends Kon’s Wisconsin-born food takes, while Walker declares war for the honor of Carolina BBQ and Krispy Kreme.

Later, the crew asks if new head coach Charles Lee is already under pressure, and how important it is for the Hornets to make a leap — not just in wins, but in identity. If the Hornets finish with 26 wins, what does that really say about this front office, the roster, and LaMelo's long-term future?

It’s an episode packed with bold takes, hot food takes, and a critical look at the Hornets’ trajectory.

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As Summer League tips off, we're looking back at the Charlotte Hornets’ pivotal offseason. From shrewd veteran trades to a draft that may define the franchise’s future, we rank the best and worst moves—starting with a clear winner: the Collin Sexton trade. Doug argues that Sexton gives Charlotte a legitimate scoring punch, bench stability, and signals a new level of seriousness in team-building.

But is the entire draft class, from Kon Knueppel to Ryan Kalkbrenner, actually the true crown jewel? Walker thinks so—and praises the front office for locking down four competitive prospects on real contracts. Plus, Tre Mann returns on a team-friendly deal, and we explain why that move may quietly prove brilliant.

Then, we dig into the worst move. Is Mason Plumlee's $3M contract harmless veteran insurance—or a regressive roster clog? And did the Hornets waste their late first-rounder on Liam McNeely instead of shoring up their big rotation with Maxime Raynaud or Noah Penda?

Finally, we preview Summer League standouts—why all eyes are on Kon Knueppel, and whether any Hornets fans are feeling Ace Bailey envy.
Don't miss this jam-packed episode of Locked On Hornets.

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The Hornets had a BUSY post-holiday stretch, signing veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie and locking in all four of their 2024 NBA Draft picks—putting the roster well over the legal limit. Doug and Walker look at the impact of Dinwiddie’s one-year deal, praise the front office for handing out guaranteed contracts to second-round picks Sion James and Ryan Kalkbrenner, and try to predict who’s on the chopping block as the team prepares to cut down. Is Josh Okogie a salary dump candidate? Does Pat Connaughton’s connection to Charles Lee keep him safe? And what’s the plan for Nick Smith Jr.?

With 19 players under contract and only 15 standard spots allowed, roster moves are inevitable—and the guys sort through the likeliest paths forward. Plus, we get into why this Summer League roster might be the most talented Charlotte’s ever assembled. From top-34 picks to returning prospects like Tidjane Salaun and K.J. Simpson, the squad is built to compete—and potentially dominate—in Vegas.

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NOTE: This was taped live Tuesday night, details may have changed. 

The Charlotte Hornets have officially signed Tre Mann to a three‑year, $24 million deal as the 2025 NBA free agency kicked off. 

After averaging a career‑high 14.1 points, 3.0 assists and 2.9 rebounds over 13 games last season—before a herniated disc sidelined him—Mann is back in the Hornets’ backcourt alongside new addition Collin Sexton.

Charlotte originally declined to extend his $6.94 million qualifying offer, making Mann an unrestricted free agent—but flipped the script the very next day, securing him to a new deal. At 24, Mann showed meltdowns of scoring brilliance—shooting 43.5% from the floor and 40% from three—and now he’s set to bring bench scoring and playmaking to the revamped roster.

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The Charlotte Hornets brought back Mason Plumlee on a one-year, $3 million deal—and fans are split on whether it’s a savvy depth move or another step backward. Doug and Walker dive into all the layers of the signing, from the nostalgia factor to the very real concerns about Plumlee's age and effectiveness. Is this front office serious about moving forward, or just treading familiar water?

The center position remains murky with Mark Williams gone and no clear starter emerging. What does this mean for young bigs like Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner? And is there still a swing left for Myles Turner or another center on the market?

Plus, the Hornets let Tre Mann hit unrestricted free agency despite his promise before injury. Why didn’t they extend the qualifying offer, and what does it say about the market for guards like Mann in this new CBA landscape? We also get an update on Josh Okogie’s non-guaranteed contract and what his status means for future trades—could it be a signal of something bigger?

We finish by talking about the roster crunch and how it could impact new draft picks like Sion James and Liam McNeeley. The Hornets have options—but not much clarity.

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Top 35 Hornets Nicknames of All-Time According to Doug Branson: https://hornets.substack.com/p/the-top-35-nicknames-in-hornets-franchise

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